2nd Place, Adaptive Reuse
The Church Studio, built in 1915, started out as the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
It was one of the earliest churches built in Tulsa, Okla. As the years progressed, it changed denominations and remained a place of worship until the early 1970s. That was when the church was purchased by musician Leon Russell and converted into an office and recording studio for Shelter Records.
Originally, the church façade was red brick. However, in the mid-1950s, contractors covered
it with a sculpted stucco-like substance called permastone, leading to the moniker “Leon’s Castle” when Russell owned it.
The mysterious-looking stone structure was a creative workshop for songwriters, musicians, engineers and singers. Successful and award-winning talent, such as Russell, Tom Petty, J.J. Cale, Jimmy Buffett, Georgie Fame, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Asleep at the Wheel, Michael Bolton, The Gap Band, Kansas, Mary McCreary, Freddie King, Jimmy Markham, Dwight Twilley, Phoebe Snow, Peter Tosh, Jamie Oldaker, Walt Richmond, David Teegarden, Wolfman Jack and many more, hung out or recorded in the studio.
As ownership of the building changed hands over the years, it continued to attract artists, like The Tractors, Dustin Pittsley, Wink Burcham, Hanson, Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, Carmen, Ronnie Dunn, Red Dirt Rangers, Paul Benjaman, Admiral Twin and Jesse Aycock.
Today’s owners, Ivan Acosta and Teresa Knox, knew they wanted to renovate the building while inspiring musicians and preserving Russell’s legacy. They decided to renovate the existing 9,000-square-foot facility and add 4,000 square feet to bring the building up to modern standards with a new accessible entry and elevator. The result is a fully restored historic building that serves as a modern-day state-of-the-art recording studio, live music venue, event space and museum. This restoration project has captured the hearts and minds of its community and is also adding momentum to Tulsa’s image nationally and internationally as a vibrant music city.
“Wonderful juxtaposition of existing and new! The addition is a thoughtful and restrained component that references the exterior materials of the church without trying to be just like it. I particularly appreciate how old meets new in this project.”
Katie Hunt, architect, LRK, Metamorphosis Awards Judge
Retrofit Team
METAMORPHOSIS AWARD WINNER and ARCHITECT: Lilly Architects
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: 360 Engineering
MEP ENGINEER: HP Engineering
DOOR HARDWARE CONSULTANT: Studio 8
ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANT: Steven Durr Designs
Materials
BROADLOOM CARPET: Mohawk Industries
GRANITE TILE AND TILE BASE: Daltile
GRANITE PAVER: Hanover Architectural Products
VINYL COMPOSITION FLOOR TILE: Armstrong Flooring
ENGINEERED WOOD: Woodwright
RUBBER BASE: Roppe
METAL: Tektrim
PAINT: Sherwin-Williams
LOUVER BLIND: Graber
SHADES: SWFContract
